Town News Briefs

Thursday

May 29, 2008 at 6:00 AM

STURBRIDGE — A pet photo contest is going on at the Joshua Hyde Library, 306 Main St., through May 31.

There are categories by ages 4 to 6, 7 to 9 and 10 to 13. Photos will be judged on clarity, composition, and overall appeal. Participants should write their name, age and phone number on the back of photo.

Also, the Little Patriots Food Drive, sponsored by the children’s room at the Joshua Hyde Library, 306 Main St., will run through May 31.

Bring non-perishable items to the library to benefit local shelters and food pantries.

WOODSTOCK — The Power of the Press will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays June 18, July 16, Aug. 13 and Sept. 17 at Roseland Cottage, 556 Route 169.

Henry Chandler Bowens’ weekly New York periodical, The Independent, began publication in December 1848. From its first edition, The Independent grappled with the essential issues of the day from the perspective of the free soil, anti-slavery advocates in the North. This series of lectures and readings from The Independent explores the critical issues and events from 1848-1858 from the perspective of The Independent, its contemporaries, and its adversaries.

Admission is free to Historic New England members, educators and students and $10 per session for nonmembers. Registration is recommended. For more information and to register, call (860) 928-4074, e-mail gwhite@historicnewengland.org or visit the Web site www.historicnewengland.org.

NORTH BROOKFIELD — Mothers Against Drunk Driving is visiting North Brookfield Elementary School on June 5 for an assembly.

They need five volunteers from 8 to 9:30 a.m. to help move the supplies into the school and set up screens. Those interested in volunteering should call Paula Ross at (508) 867-2980 or e-mail pross@smartpurge.com by May 30.

The kickoff will be held at 2 p.m. June 18 with Mike Bent’s AbraKidAbra.

This summer’s program will include special performances, Books on the Bandstand story times, and appearances by live animals. There will also be prizes, raffles, Plate Spotters, guessing contest, Library Safari, Teddy Bear Picnic, magic and music. This year, a parents’ raffle will also be held.

Infants through high schoolers are welcome to register.

Registration begins June 2. To sign up, visit the library at 306 Main St. or register online by visiting http://www.town.sturbridge.ma.us/Public_Documents/SturbridgeMA_LibDocs/kids_room and click on the Wild Reads at your Library link.

DUDLEY — The Pearle L. Crawford Memorial Library, 1 Village Street, has a four-pack of Worcester Tornadoes tickets to give away. The tickets were donated by the team.

Those interested may enter the drawing every time they visit the library. The contest ends June 16, when a winner will be chosen at the library kick-off for the “Wild Reads at Your Library” summer reading program.

For more information about the tickets or any library event, call the library at (508) 949-8021.

PUTNAM — Auditions for Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 31 and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 1 at the Bradley Playhouse, 30 Front St., Route 44.

Those auditioning should be prepared to perform a song excerpt and reading from the audition materials provided at the Bradley Playhouse. Auditions will take approximately 20 to 30 minutes once inside the theatre. Show dates are 7 p.m. Aug. 1, 2, 8, 9, and 14, 15, 16. and 2 p.m. Aug. 3 and 10.

There is one child’s role available for a boy or girl ages 8 to 13. All other cast members must be at least 14.

NORTH BROOKFIELD — Registration for summer swim and fall soccer will be held from 9 a.m. to noon May 31 and 6 to 8 p.m. June 12 at the Town Common across from Bob’s Deli.

In case of inclement weather, registration will take place in the basement of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Main Street.